DUBLIN - IRELAND announced on Tuesday it has found illegal levels of dioxins - the chemicals that are devastating its pork industry - in cattle, but insisted its beef was safe to eat.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said Ireland has decided not to recall any of its beef products at home or abroad because, unlike the contamination of pork products, the level and extent of dioxin found so far in cattle is much lower.

BEIJING - CHINA urged France on Tuesday to 'take responsibility and concrete measures' to repair strained ties stemming from a weekend meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama.

Beijing did not say whether it was planning any economic sanctions against French businesses after Mr Sarkozy held talks in Poland with the Tibetan spiritual leader whom China considers a separatist. China has called the meeting 'rude intervention' in Chinese affairs.

CHICAGO - FORMER Vice President Al Gore planned to visit with President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday, but those briefed on the meeting insisted the topic would be the planet rather than Mr Gore's formal return to Washington.

Mr Gore sought the presidency in 2000 but lost to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in a disputed election that was settled in the Supreme Court. He then became a leader in the movement to draw attention to the issue of climate change and global warming.